Tuesday 2nd September

We have been port bound for a few days due to some strong wind and big swell, but we were back out today for two Ocean Discovery trips. There was still some chunky swell and strong breeze out there, but the sun came out and it was fun. This morning we watched the seals on the island, including a bit of a strop from the female “Kelp” as a male clambered out and tried to lie on the rock next to her. We then found some Risso’s dolphins a bit further on round the coast, who had been feeding on cuttlefish. Not what we expect at this time of year. We also saw some harbour porpoises and seabirds including a Cory’s shearwater. This afternoon we were trying to find some seals by the island at high tide – no joy until a couple of blokes on a boat hauling pots started having a very loud row and all of a sudden up popped five sealy heads for a stare and a listen! The swell had dropped a little by then though the sail was reefed right down, and we headed offshore. There were lots of birds out there including Manx shearwaters and gannets soaring past, some great shearwaters and finally a grey phalarope fluttering round from patch to patch of seaweed.